Rox: Gregory keeps getting better as a starter

The closer has become a starter. Reese Gregory's move into the starting rotation for the St. Cloud Rox has gone better than both could have imagined. He's second in the NWL in ERA at 1.44.

St. Cloud State and St. Cloud Rox pitcher Reese Gregory throws in a game last spring. His ERA of 1.44 is the second-lowest in the Northwoods League this season.
(Photo:
Photo courtesy of SCSU Athletic Media Relations
)

As long as the St. Cloud State and St. Cloud Rox pitcher is on the mound, he's a happy camper.

But being a starting pitcher this summer for the Rox is something the 6-foot, 195-pound Apollo High School graduate is enjoying after closing for the Huskies for the past two seasons and the Rox in 2013.

"Being a starter is a lot of fun. There's a lot of time in between starts, but I know what game I'm going to pitch and that it's mine," Gregory said after Sunday's win over Eau Claire. "That's the best part about starting. I get more time to get ready and get all of my pitches going. That's helped me spot up a little better."

Gregory is 3-1 with a 1.44 ERA so far this summer in five starts. He's thrown 31-plus innings and has 36 strikeouts and 11 walks. His ERA is the second-lowest in the Northwoods League.

The right-hander's toughest outing came on Sunday when he gave up four earned runs over five innings against Eau Claire.

"The wind was affecting my breaking stuff early on and I started leaving some pitches up. They really capitalized on them early. I started throwing strikes later on and I started to get them off-balance," Gregory said. "This league is helping me get better. Eau Claire had a lot of left-handers and that was good for me to face. That will help me in the long run."

New routine, same stuff

Gregory's routine has changed, but he hasn't changed what he throws. His off-speed repertoire with his curveball and slider are just as dangerous as they've ever been.

"I'm not over-thinking. I'm just going out there and throwing strikes," Gregory said. "I'm getting people out, that's the most important thing. The hardest part about being a starter is being on the bench. Getting prepared for every game was always nice."

Rox pitching coach J.P. Martinez called Gregory "unhittable" in an interview last week.

"Reese has been unhittable to this point," Martinez said. "That's a testament to his work ethic and savvy. He doesn't blow you away, but has a great feel for all of his pitches. He can throw them in any count. He keeps it down in the zone.

"It's encouraging to watch him pitch because he's not blessed with a mid-90s fastball. He's going out there by putting on a clinic on how to locate your pitches."

Gregory feels like his curve and slider have more movement on it than they have in the past. Along with great location, those are the two keys to his success. Gregory is still throwing in the mid- to high 80s with his fastball.

"I'm throwing the same stuff that has gotten me through college," he said. "The slider and curve are getting a lot better as time goes on. I feel like there's even more movement on them and they're spotting up really well lately. The fastball is there when I need it. When you're throwing the junk that I do, you don't have to throw 90.

"If they're seeing 75 with all breaking balls and then I throw in an 85 mile-per-hour fastball, it looks a lot faster than it is. I keep the fastball in my back pocket.

"I've never bothered looking at the radar gun. As long as I get people out, that's all that matters to me."

Starter at SCSU

St. Cloud State head coach Pat Dolan expects Gregory to be a starting pitcher, along withplaying at third base and DH, next season.

"I'd like to start him in the first game of a four-game set, but with his bat that makes it hard to start him in the first one," Dolan said. "I know we'll use him as a starter. We might throw him in the fourth game of a weekend series so he can get some at-bats. He can't play every game at third because that's not good for his arm.

"Nothing surprises me with Reese. He's a strike-thrower and proven that he can get guys out."

Gregory hit .382 with a home run and 23 RBI for the Huskies in 2014. He's only received seven at-bats with the Rox so far and has a single and RBI. He's pleaded to get more at-bats from manager Augie Rodriguez, but it hasn't worked out yet. He's hoping for some plate appearances later in the season.

"Augie is great about throwing me batting practice on my days off," Gregory said. "He lets me come in early and do that. That helps me stay sharp at the plate. He offers to hit me grounders all the time. I've been talking to him about hitting more, but only time will tell on that. I know I wouldn't mind getting a shot at it."

Dolan has been hearing interest from pro scouts about Gregory. If Gregory makes the Northwoods League All-Star team for a second straight season, Dolan thinks he could go to the Cape Cod League next summer.

"A bunch of pro scouts have asked about him. He doesn't light up the radar gun, but he doesn't give up hits –– that's the bottom line," Dolan said. "He could really open some eyes if he does well in the Cape next summer.

"The Northwoods is a great league, but the Cape is where the top D-I guys go. If he gets outs there, scouts will give him a chance."